- Mar 13, 2024
- 8,604
- 36
For many Disney fans, anticipation for the upcoming Villains Land has been decades in the making.
Villains Land ©Disney
The project has been rumored since the 90’s, and fans have spent all that time daydreaming of elements — both large and small — that they would love to see come to the land.
First officially confirmed at the 2024 D23 Ultimate Fan Event, Villains Land Disney has released scant official details about Villains Land, other than that the area “Beyond Big Thunder” will be home to “two major attractions, dining, and shopping on an incredibly twisted grand scale.” Beyond the two major attractions — one of which is rumored to be a coaster based on either Maleficent or The Emperor’s New Groove, depending on which reports one believes — there are plenty of smaller elements that would enhance the land without blowing out the budget.
©Disney
Unlike other major Disney lands of the last few decades — think Cars Land, Pandora: The World of Avatar, and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, to name a few — Villains Land isn’t going to be based on a singular IP. Rather, it’s going to feature antagonists from various films — with various art styles — from nearly 90 years of films.
Watch Out Simba! ©Disney
Back in 2025, Disney detailed that the land’s architecture would combine the magical, fluid, and organic appearance of both the animated villains and the Art Nouveau style of construction, in a style the Imagineering design team says will blend historical components and fantastical worlds. The style has been dubbed “Conjured Architecture.”
©Disney
However, at the same time, they also confirmed that Disney Legend and former animator Andreas Deja — best known for helping to bring some of the most evil Disney Villains to life onscreen, including Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Jafar in Aladdin, and Scar in The Lion King – –will be officially consulting on the project. Given Deja’s involvement, we’re hoping that some specific elements from various characters’ film appearances can be worked into the land’s overall architecture. Speaking of characters…
Andreas Deja
While the land will likely be headlined by the most popular Disney Villains — your Jafars, Scars, Ursulas, and Malificents to name a few — we’re also hoping Disney includes references and perhaps even appearances from lesser-known deep cut Disney characters, a precedent they just set at another Walt Disney World theme park.
The Walt Disney Studios
In May 2026, Disney opened the gates to the new Walt Disney Studios retheme of the Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios. One of the first things that jumped out to guests was the number of Disney character statues that were spread across the land.
Lucifer
From films old…
Jiminy Cricket
… and new …
Pua and Thumper in Walt Disney Studios
… beloved…
Abu
… and slightly more obscure.
Some famous Disney mice
Think about the equivalent that could be done in Villains Land. Imagine running into the Horned King from The Black Cauldron ominously around a corner, seeing Shere Kahn from The Jungle Book or the Hyena from The Lion King preying on guests from the bushes, finding Pain and Panic from Hercules underfoot, or even stumbling upon an in-scale version of Professor Ratigan from The Great Mouse Detective.
Just keep the hyenas away from Zazu
Finally, Disney needs to continue its commitment to heavily themed snacks, drinks, and dining offerings as we’ve seen in other lands. Wouldn’t you want to be able to snack on Iago’s crackers or try some of Kronk’s Spinach Puffs? Yeah, we thought so.
©Disney
While massive E-Ticket attractions will likely dominate the Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land’s landscape, it will be the land’s smaller details, theming, and offerings that could potentially elevate it to game-changing status. Stay tuned to AllEars as Disney confirms further details about the land, likely including at this summer’s D23 Ultimate Fan Expo.
What are you hoping to see in Villains Land? Let us know in the comments below.
Villains Land ©Disney
The project has been rumored since the 90’s, and fans have spent all that time daydreaming of elements — both large and small — that they would love to see come to the land.
First officially confirmed at the 2024 D23 Ultimate Fan Event, Villains Land Disney has released scant official details about Villains Land, other than that the area “Beyond Big Thunder” will be home to “two major attractions, dining, and shopping on an incredibly twisted grand scale.” Beyond the two major attractions — one of which is rumored to be a coaster based on either Maleficent or The Emperor’s New Groove, depending on which reports one believes — there are plenty of smaller elements that would enhance the land without blowing out the budget.
©Disney
Film-Specific Details
Unlike other major Disney lands of the last few decades — think Cars Land, Pandora: The World of Avatar, and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, to name a few — Villains Land isn’t going to be based on a singular IP. Rather, it’s going to feature antagonists from various films — with various art styles — from nearly 90 years of films.
Watch Out Simba! ©Disney
Back in 2025, Disney detailed that the land’s architecture would combine the magical, fluid, and organic appearance of both the animated villains and the Art Nouveau style of construction, in a style the Imagineering design team says will blend historical components and fantastical worlds. The style has been dubbed “Conjured Architecture.”
©Disney
However, at the same time, they also confirmed that Disney Legend and former animator Andreas Deja — best known for helping to bring some of the most evil Disney Villains to life onscreen, including Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Jafar in Aladdin, and Scar in The Lion King – –will be officially consulting on the project. Given Deja’s involvement, we’re hoping that some specific elements from various characters’ film appearances can be worked into the land’s overall architecture. Speaking of characters…
Andreas Deja
Bring Out the Deep Cuts
While the land will likely be headlined by the most popular Disney Villains — your Jafars, Scars, Ursulas, and Malificents to name a few — we’re also hoping Disney includes references and perhaps even appearances from lesser-known deep cut Disney characters, a precedent they just set at another Walt Disney World theme park.
The Walt Disney Studios
In May 2026, Disney opened the gates to the new Walt Disney Studios retheme of the Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios. One of the first things that jumped out to guests was the number of Disney character statues that were spread across the land.
Lucifer
From films old…
Jiminy Cricket
… and new …
Pua and Thumper in Walt Disney Studios
… beloved…
Abu
… and slightly more obscure.
Some famous Disney mice
Think about the equivalent that could be done in Villains Land. Imagine running into the Horned King from The Black Cauldron ominously around a corner, seeing Shere Kahn from The Jungle Book or the Hyena from The Lion King preying on guests from the bushes, finding Pain and Panic from Hercules underfoot, or even stumbling upon an in-scale version of Professor Ratigan from The Great Mouse Detective.
Just keep the hyenas away from Zazu
Snacks!
Finally, Disney needs to continue its commitment to heavily themed snacks, drinks, and dining offerings as we’ve seen in other lands. Wouldn’t you want to be able to snack on Iago’s crackers or try some of Kronk’s Spinach Puffs? Yeah, we thought so.
©Disney
While massive E-Ticket attractions will likely dominate the Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land’s landscape, it will be the land’s smaller details, theming, and offerings that could potentially elevate it to game-changing status. Stay tuned to AllEars as Disney confirms further details about the land, likely including at this summer’s D23 Ultimate Fan Expo.
Join the Magical Guides Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
YOU CAN, TOO.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Magical Guides-Guide-Covers-Fan-11-11-24-2.png
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
GET YOUR GUIDE NOW
What are you hoping to see in Villains Land? Let us know in the comments below.
